The papers contain correspondence to and from James Wilkinson, governor of the Louisiana Territory, high ranking official in the United States Army, and informant of, and suspected co-conspirator in the Aaron Burr conspiracy. Also included in the collection is a copy of a letter from Andrew Jackson to the governor of New Orleans, William C. C. Claiborne, and a letter written by Harman Blennerhassett, a plotter in the Burr conspiracy. Of note is the official document Wilkinson writes as commander in chief of the United States Army to Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante, governor of Coahuila and acting governor of Texas, Wilkinson's dispatch of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike to explore and chart the new frontier. Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically by following the respective "Digitized Folder Contents" links within the finding aid.

While James Wilkinson was embroiled in various scandals and plots, such as the Aaron Burr conspiracy, he managed to attain prominent military and government posts. Eventually, at the height of his military career, Wilkinson would rise to the position of commander in chief of the Army of the United States.

Wilkinson was born in Benedict, Maryland, in 1757, and died in Mexico City, Mexico, on December 28, 1825. He married Ann Biddle of Philadelphia on November 12, 1778, and had four children. After her death in 1810, Wilkinson married Celestine Laveau Trudeau, with whom he had twin daughters.

Enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, Wilkinson's studies in medicine ended in 1775 when he joined Thompson's Pennsylvania rifle battalion to fight in the Revolutionary War. Wilkinson served under Colonel Benedict Arnold, General George Washington, and as an aide to General Horatio Gates; he was eventually brevetted as a major general from November 1777 to March 1778. He also served as secretary to the board of war from January to March 1778. Due to his participation in the Conway Cabal, Wilkinson was forced to resign his positions as major general and secretary in 1778. This was a conspiracy to replace George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental Army with Horatio Gates. He served as clothier general of the army from 1779 to 1781.

In 1803, Wilkinson and Governor William C.C. Claiborne took possession of the Louisiana Territory on behalf of the United States, and in 1805 Wilkinson was appointed the first governor of the territory by Thomas Jefferson. That same year, Wilkinson came under suspicion of being a co-conspirator of Aaron Burr in a treasonous plot to separate the western states from the Union. After receiving Burr's notorious ciphered letter in October of 1806, Wilkinson informed President Jefferson of Burr's plan and claimed no knowledge of the conspiracy.

In 1811, Wilkinson was court-martialed for taking payment from Spain while serving as general of the United States Army. Though he was acquitted, after his death it was revealed that he had, in fact, drawn a regular pension from Spain for his work to separate the western areas from the United States. He served as a senior officer in the United States Army for over a decade and was commissioned a major general in the War of 1812.

After leading two failed campaigns, the Battle of Crysler's Farm and the Second Battle of La Colle Mills, Wilkinson was relieved of his military duties and went on to publish his autobiography,
Memoirs of My Own Times, in 1816. Intending to settle a colony in Texas, he was awaiting approval from the Mexican government when he died.

Collection Scope and Content Notes

The collection mainly consists of letters from James Wilkinson to his friend Samuel H. Smith, a major general in the Maryland Militia during the War of 1812, and United States senator and representative from Maryland. It is in these letters that Wilkinson is the most open, with frank comments about his foes in the territorial government, as well as about Burr, his allies, and the conspiracy trial. An example of Wilkinson's candidness can be seen in a postscript in a letter dated December 10, 1806. In it he writes, "I shall live to laugh at my vile detractors as I have done all my life -- and after being crowned Emperor of Mexico, in place of Burr, I will return to spend the eve of my life in my native state and not far from Baltimore." In another letter dated June 20, 1807, he forthrightly states that he believes the conspiracy trial will not last more than four months, as Burr will attempt to flee justice. In the same letter, Wilkinson remarks that he believes an assassination attempt will be made on his own life.

Many of the letters reference Wilkinson's ongoing political conflicts with Return J. Meiggs, a politician from Ohio and judge in the Louisiana and Michigan territories; Judge John B. C. Lucas, chief justice of the Louisiana Territory; and Samuel Hammond, a member of the armed forces and Georgia state senator. Lucas served as a congressman from 1803 until he replaced Wilkinson as civil and military governor of the upper Louisiana Territory in 1805. Wilkinson often writes of his thoughts on political and military matters, discussing tensions with England and talk of an embargo against them, which would become the Embargo Act in December, 1807. The letters also frequently refer to Aaron Burr and detail Wilkinson's involvement in the ensuing conspiracy trial from his point of view.

The first letter in the collection introduces a friend, John Coburn, to the governor of the District of Natchez, Manuel Gayoso. Wilkinson's papers contain a copy of a letter from Andrew Jackson to Claiborne. In it, Jackson warns Claiborne to guard against internal and external enemies, which refers to Wilkinson as "the General." There is also a letter from Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish immigrant who was one of Burr's co-conspirators, to a Dr. Wallace. In this letter, Blennerhassett requests the retrieval and shipment of personal effects left behind after his attempted escape and capture for his involvement in the Burr conspiracy. James Brown, who was appointed attorney for the United States in New Orleans by Thomas Jefferson, writes personally to Wilkinson. Brown's letter covers political matters and Wilkinson's professional struggles.

Envelopes do not accompany the letters and in some cases the addressee is not known. In one instance, denoted by brackets around the name, it has been assumed that the recipient of the letter is Samuel H. Smith, as at that time, he was a confidant of Wilkinson and was in frequent correspondence with him.

Arrangement

The Wilkinson letters are arranged chronologically and include description at the item level.

Subject Terms

Topics

Burr Conspiracy, 1805-1807

Embargo, 1807-1809

Corporate Names

United States. Army. -- Officers

Personal Names

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Claiborne, William C. C. (Charles Cole), 1775-1817

Cordero y Bustamente, Manuel Antonio, 1753-1823

Dearborn, Henry, 1751-1829

Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel, 1747-1799

Hammond, Samuel, 1757-1842

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Lucas, John B. C. (John Baptiste Charles), d. 1842

Meiggs, Return Jonathan, 1764-1824

Smith, Samuel Harrison, 1772-1845

Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825

Locations

Louisiana -- History -- 1803-1865

Louisiana -- Politics and government -- 1803-1865

Spain -- Relations -- United States

United States -- History -- 1783-1815

United States -- Politics and government -- 1789-1809

United States -- Relations -- Spain

Access and Use

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information:

Gift to the Darlington Memorial Library in 1937.

Alternate Format:

Copies of the letters and typed transcripts of eight of the letters (April 25, 1806; June 1, 1806; June 8, 1806; June 10, 1806; June 10, 1806; June 16, 1806; June 17, 1806; and October 14, 1806) are on file. Included is a copy of a morning report of the Garrison of New Orleans dated December 23, 1806.

Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically by following the respective "Digitized Folder Contents" links within the finding aid.

Custodial History:

This collection was located in the Darlington Memorial Library in the University’s Cathedral of Learning until 2007 when it was moved to the ULS Archives Service Center for processing, storage, preservation and service. However, it remains in the custodianship of the ULS Special Collections Department.

Preferred Citation:

James Wilkinson Papers, 1790-1818, DAR.1937.09, Darlington Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information:

This collection was processed by Kristin Justham in October and November of 2006.

Copyright:

No copyright restrictions.

Related Material:

There is a copy of a letter in the James Wilkinson Papers from Martin Luther to an unknown recipient, which briefly refers to the Burr trial. The original letter is housed in the Darlington Autograph Files, along with other materials related to this collection.

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Folder

1

James Wilkinson to Manuel Gayoso, March 26, 1790

Written from Lexington, Kentucky, and presumably going to Natchez, this is a letter of introduction for John Coburn to Manuel Gayoso, the governor of the District of Natchez. Wilkinson states Coburn is superior to any adventurer who has gone down the Ohio that season.

Wilkinson writes a very short note from Fort Washington to Hodgdon concerning letters relating to "public business of importance" addressed to Col. Spencer and Capt. Gano. The letters are not part of this collection.

This is a document titled Pro Bono Publico [for the public good], written by Wilkinson in St. Louis to expose the duplicity of Judge Lucas. It is a testimony of what has been said by the judge about the state of America, her relationship with France and about the clause in an Act of Congress about land titles. Wilkinson states that he will claim authorship of the document if it is publicized or if Judge Lucas inquires.

Hammond writes from St. Louis to request Wilkinson's approval for the formation of a military corps. He also requests permission to commission officers in order to "quell the apprehensions of the inhabitants" and to protect the town and District of St. Louis.

This official letter from St. Louis, not in Wilkinson's hand, denies the formation of the corps requested in Col. Hammond's letter of June 1. Wilkinson reasons that, as more than half of the people on the list are not citizens, the group was formed without the sanction of law and his approbation.

[The end of the letter states that it is an extract of a letter to the Department of War, presumably to the Secretary of War, Henry Dearborn.] In the letter, Wilkinson discusses the meeting of an association headed by Hammond's nephew and a refugee from Canada, which, he writes, was formed for sinister purposes. He remarks that Hammond was aware of these purposes. Additionally, Wilkinson relays that rumors have spread regarding plans for Hammond to replace him as governor in three weeks time. The letter concludes with a note that the troops are in good health but their "numbers are insufficient for the claims and calls of the services, at a point so remote and exposed and embracing such extensive Indian relations."

Written from St. Louis, Wilkinson confides that he has of late withdrawn from the public eye, and writes of the recent activities of Lucas and his associates. He refers to their attack on a Mr. Donaldson and sends enclosures to be published in an attempt to vindicate Donaldson [the whereabouts of the enclosures are unknown]. Of the recent Zebulon Pike exploration, Wilkinson conveys that he is in possession of Pike's chart of the Mississippi. He includes a brief description of Pike's journey, stating that the chart and Pike's river journal are prepared for the president, but are too bulky to be mailed.

In this letter, [signed by, but not written in Wilkinson's hand] Wilkinson discusses leaving St. Louis for Fort Adams in order to execute the instructions of the president. He informs Dearborn that the troops' guns were unfit for service, and several thousand stands of muskets were needed at Fort Adams. Wilkinson adds "the Mexicans fight all on horseback" and states they may need "horses to find them & sabers to meet them."

[This letter appears to be a draft, as much of it is crossed out.] Wilkinson acknowledges that rumors of his removal were true, as he has received orders to go to the Territory of Orleans and take command of their standing contingent force. He writes of the difficulty in leaving his ill wife, but does not anticipate war. Hammond's nephew and continued problems with Lucas, Hammond, Meiggs, and company are also discussed.

Written from the Rapids of Red River to Smith in Baltimore, Wilkinson remarks on the boundary dispute with the Spanish, specifically citing Simon de Herrera, commandant of the Louisiana frontier, and Governor Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante.

This is an official letter from United States army headquarters in Natchitoches regarding the contested boundaries of Louisiana and Texas. In it, Wilkinson demands the withdrawal of the Spanish troops to the west of the Sabine River and makes it clear that Cordero's actions in response to the request will result in either peace or war.

The author discusses matters with Wilkinson concerning Governor William C. C. Claiborne and the militia in New Orleans. Also discussed are the feelings of the American people in regards to their country and potential hostilities with the Spanish. There is a note at the bottom of the letter stating, "Offered in confidence and not to be employed to Claibornes [sic] prejudice."

This is a copy of a letter from Jackson to Claiborne. Jackson stresses the need for continued vigilance by Claiborne regarding external and internal enemies and that he must "keep a watchful eye upon our General."

Writing from Natchez, Wilkinson discusses the atmosphere in New Orleans and criticizes Claiborne. He talks about Burr, Hammond, Meiggs, and others who oppose him. Wilkinson also lists changes he would like to see instituted in the army.

In this letter from New Orleans, Wilkinson talks about Burr and his emissaries, and about the letter Claiborne received from Andrew Jackson. He also discusses the state of the region, the people and their loyalties, and about problems in Europe affecting the United States. Wilkinson remarks upon Hammond and Meiggs as well.

Wilkinson writes from New Orleans to Smith relating his displeasure with Burr, calling him a scoundrel and liar. He notes Burr's daughter claims to possess evidence of Wilkinson's part in the conspiracy. He also comments that Burr says the letter Wilkinson possesses, which is an invitation to Wilkinson to take part in an act of military treason, is fabricated. He also discusses Claiborne and the corruptness of the people in the area.

Wilkinson, who writes from New Orleans, discusses Burr's conspiracy trial in Richmond. He comments that he looks forward to the impending scene at Richmond with pride, even if Burr and his allies lie and forge letters. Wilkinson believes Burr's associates could aid the prosecution in their case against Burr.

Wilkinson, writing from Richmond, to Smith in Baltimore, discusses his time before the Grand Jury and the trial. He contends that Burr practices acts of treachery and intrigue against him every day. He also notes that he has enclosed the letter from Jackson to Claiborne [the enclosure is located in Folder 16].

In this letter written from Richmond , to Smith in Baltimore, Wilkinson mentions the trial, which he does not believe will be finished in four months. Wilkinson relates events surrounding Burr's attempted escape before his eventual capture. He also requests Smith send him some letters from the Burgoyne Campaign as he intends to introduce a chapter of "interesting incidents that marked the campaign" into his appeal. Additionally, Wilkinson remarks he has been bored since his arrival by old friends. It is worth noting that one such friend is Light Horse Harry, otherwise known as Henry Lee III, Robert E. Lee's father.

Wilkinson, writing from Richmond, relates to Smith the grand jury concluded that Burr and Blennerhassett would stand trial for misdemeanors and treason. In the letter, Wilkinson remarks that whatever the outcome, Burr will be marked as a traitor. He also mentions the number of men Burr has stationed in the city. This information was related to Wilkinson by his own spies.

This short letter discusses the Burr trial and is written from Washington to Smith in Baltimore. Efforts to have Wilkinson brought up on charges of suspicion of treason were thrown out, with a decision coming back thirteen to three in his favor. He was also exonerated of charges that he violated the constitution.

Wilkinson notes, in this letter from Washington, his receipt of the document from the Burgoyne Campaign he had requested earlier from Smith. He reports of Burr's failed attempts to "thicken the clouds of suspicion around him." Wilkinson talks about Congress assembling, possible hostilities with the British and their expulsion from America's waters. Included are discussions of preparations for offensive and defensive measures against the British, as well as talks of an embargo against them.

Wilkinson writes from Washington to Smith in Baltimore. He remarks on the possibility of war with England and about the likelihood of men from Jamaica taking New Orleans in a coup de main. He is concerned they may also occupy other areas, and derive aid from the Creek and Choctaw Nations, and from "our over disaffected citizens."

Morrison's letter from Lexington includes a discussion of the political conditions in the state, military affairs and personal information. In a postscript, Morrison conveys his hope that Wilkinson will "come out immaculate compared with his numerous enemies."

Marked private, the letter, written in Washington, describes Wilkinson's meeting with Vice President George Clinton, in which they agreed the embargo against England should not be raised. Wilkinson relays Clinton's fears that the country is coming to a crisis.

In Philadelphia, Wilkinson comments on family matters concerning his grandfather, and discusses the presidential election. A postscript notes his plan to leave in August to become a planter of sugar and cotton on the Mississippi.

Writing from New Orleans, Wilkinson describes a long illness he recently suffered, one that spread throughout Norfolk, Charleston, and New Orleans. He writes of family matters and notes that he has had to borrow money. Wilkinson also discusses national and international events, commenting on the Spanish, Indians, world politics, the power of the president, and the United States military.